CN113573615A

CN113573615A - Food processing apparatus and components thereof

Info

Publication number: CN113573615A
Application number: CN202080023113.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·里盖蒂
Original assignee: Australasia Distributor Intellectual Property Co ltd
Current assignee: Australasia Distributor Intellectual Property Co ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-21
Filing date: 2020-03-20
Publication date: 2021-10-29
Also published as: US20220160159A1; EP3941317A4; AU2020243834A1; CA3133331A1; WO2020186309A1; EP3941317A1

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to appliances for extracting liquid from plant material during the preparation of beverages and other food products at home. The invention may be embodied in the form of a food processing apparatus having a lid with an access space formed therein, a rotatable element, and one or more food material contacting surfaces surrounding the rotatable element and disposed below the access space of the lid. The rotatable element and the one or more food material contact surfaces are each configured and spatially arranged with respect to one another such that, in use, food material disposed about the rotatable element is forced against the one or more food material contact surfaces. Thus, the food material is deformed or separated and causes or allows the food material to leave the one or more food material contact surfaces.

Description

Food processing apparatus and components thereof

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to household appliances for extracting liquids from plant materials including, but not limited to, fruits, berries, vegetables, leaves, stems or nuts. Such appliances are typically used by consumers to prepare healthy beverages freshly at home. Additionally or alternatively, the present invention may be used to prepare sorbets and similar food products.

Background

At the filing date of this application, consumers have access to many forms of so-called "cold-press" juicing devices known in the art. Typically, the apparatus is in the form of a small domestic appliance suitable for use over a counter. The appliance typically includes an electric motor which provides the mechanical force required to break the source plant material and express juice therefrom.

Typically, the motor rotates a threaded structure disposed within some type of filter basket. The source plant material is disposed within the basket by some means and a rotating screw is used to direct the material generally downwardly and outwardly toward the filter basket walls. Typically, the rotating screw-like structure widens towards the base (and/or the basket narrows around the base of the screw) so that the source material is forced against the filter basket walls. This force acts to destroy plant structures and cells forming these structures, thereby releasing the nutrient juice. The juice is typically tapped in some type of container that directs the liquid to an outlet for collection in a drinking glass.

The filter basket retains the solid material that remains after the juice is extracted. Many juicing apparatuses include means for continuously removing solid material so that a user does not need to intermittently stop the juicing process to manually remove material.

Some juicing apparatus include means to pre-process the source plant material in preparation for the final step of squeezing the juice from the plant material, as is also known in the art. For example, some devices have a crushing space integral with the cover. Large pieces of plant material are manually pushed through a chute attached to the lid and when exiting the chute, the material is broken up by specially formed surfaces resting on the inside of the lid. The crushed material is more suitable as a raw material for a subsequent pressing process in the underlying filter basket.

One problem that exists is that plant material tends to become trapped in such crushing spaces. It is not uncommon for residues of broken plant material to accumulate in this space during use. This may cause difficulties in feeding new plant source material into the space, given the need to first discharge the accumulated material. The material tends to cake in small crushing spaces and does not easily fall down into the filter basket below. The caked material is exposed to air for a considerable period of time and may oxidize, resulting in an undesirable brown discoloration of the juice formed therefrom. Some food material can only be removed in practice during the washing process, and in this case the material is never consumed and is therefore wasted.

Another problem is that small crushing spaces may be difficult to clean. Although the cover forming the crushing space will of course be cleaned regularly after use, special care is required to ensure that all plant material is removed. A small brush or other tool may be required to ensure proper cleaning of the space. The task of cleaning the crushing space can be burdensome and often reduces the consumer experience with the product.

The small crushing area further limits the surface area of the plant material available for crushing into against it. This in turn slows the rate at which the source plant material can be fed into the apparatus. Therefore, in view of the limitation of the preprocessing speed due to the small crushing space in the cover, the user must take longer time to prepare a given volume of juice.

Some or all of the above functional problems may arise when the apparatus is used to prepare non-juice, such as milk of vegetable origin (e.g. nut milk), or food products such as sorbets. However, in these applications, the device is used to break up incoming food material and force it against the filter.

Another problem is that the crushing space in the prior art lid forms a distinct "bump" on top. This feature is generally undesirable because it detracts from the overall visual appearance of the device. It will be appreciated that the food processing appliance may remain on the countertop when not in use, and the consumer is aware of any negative visual impact caused by the exposed appliance, which is aesthetically displeasing.

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an improvement over prior art food processing devices to provide improved processing of large pieces of food material prior to the pressing process. Another aspect of the prior art is to provide a useful alternative to prior art food processing devices.

Discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in the present specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first, but not necessarily broadest, aspect, the invention provides a food processing device portion for deforming or separating food material for greater use in a subsequent pressing process, the food processing device portion comprising: a cover having an entry space formed therein; a rotatable element; and one or more food material contacting surfaces surrounding the rotatable element and disposed below the access space of the lid, wherein the rotatable element and the one or more food material contacting surfaces are each configured and spatially arranged with respect to one another such that, in use, food material disposed around the rotatable element is forced against the one or more food material contacting surfaces, thereby deforming or separating the food material, and causing or allowing the resulting deformed or separated food material to exit the one or more food material contacting surfaces.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the rotatable element and the one or more food material contacting surfaces are each configured and spatially arranged with respect to each other such that, in use, separated or deformed food material is caused or allowed to fall from the one or more food material contacting surfaces at least under the partial influence of gravity.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the rotatable element and the one or more food material contacting surfaces are each configured and spatially arranged with respect to each other such that, in use, food material is caused or allowed to contact the one or more food material contacting surfaces at least under the partial influence of gravity.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the food processing device part comprises a food material entry space allowing food material to enter substantially downwards and a food material exit space allowing deformed or separated food material to exit substantially downwards, wherein the food material entry space and the food material exit space are each at least partially defined by one or more food material contact surfaces.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the food material entry space is in or around an upper region of the food processing device portion and the food material exit space is in or around a lower region of the food processing device.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the food processing device has an axis passing through the rotatable element, the food material inlet space and the food material outlet space.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the axis, when present in the assembled food processing apparatus, assumes a substantially vertical orientation when assembled.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more food material contacting surfaces partially or completely surround at least a portion of the rotatable element.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, one of the one or more food material contacting surfaces substantially faces the rotatable element.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, one of the one or more food material contacting surfaces is substantially concave and substantially faces the rotatable element.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the rotatable element and one of the one or more food material contacting surfaces each have an upper region and a lower region, and wherein a distance between the upper region of the one or more food material contacting surfaces and the upper region of the rotatable element is greater than a distance between the lower region of the one or more food material contacting surfaces and the lower region of the rotatable element.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more food material contacting surfaces are at least partially formed by an inner face of a geometrically regular structure.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the geometrically regular structure is substantially cylindrical or substantially frustoconical.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, one of the one or more food material contacting surfaces is provided by a body extending generally towards the rotatable element.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the food processing device part comprises two or more food material contacting surfaces, wherein a first of the two or more food material contacting surfaces is a surface substantially facing the rotatable element and a second of the two or more food material contacting surfaces is a body extending substantially towards the rotatable element.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the body extending towards the rotatable element is substantially fin-shaped.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the rotatable element has a longitudinal axis and the one or more food material contacting surfaces are at least partially formed by the inner face of a geometrically regular structure having axes, and the axes are coincident or at least parallel to each other.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the rotatable element has a food-pushing formation extending generally outwardly therefrom.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the food material urging formation is configured such that: as the rotatable element rotates, the food material is urged against one of the one or more food material contact surfaces.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the rotatable portion is configured such that when rotated the food material urges the formation to move on or generally towards one of the one or more food material contacting surfaces.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the space between the food material urging formation and one of the one or more food material contacting surfaces is sufficiently large to allow food material to enter the space and contact the food material urging formation and the one or more food contacting surfaces during rotation of the rotatable element.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the food material pushing portion is disposed at or towards an upper region of the rotatable element.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the rotatable element has a conveying formation configured to convey or assist in conveying the deformed or separated food material generally downwardly and away from the food processing apparatus portion.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the delivery formation is generally screw-shaped.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the conveying section is disposed below the food material pushing formations such that the food material is deformed or separated by contact with the food pushing formations and the one or more food material contacting surfaces, and the deformed or separated food material so formed is pushed downwardly by the conveying section to eventually exit the food processing apparatus section.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the lower region or edge of one of the one or more food material contacting surfaces has associated therewith means for assembly with an underlying capturing means of the food processing apparatus.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the means for assembling with the lower capturing means of the food processing apparatus is configured such that: by rotating one of the one or more food material contacting surfaces relative to the underlying capturing device, and optionally lifting or lowering the one or more food material contacting surfaces from or towards the underlying capturing device, the one of the one or more food material contacting surfaces can be removed from and attached to a base of the food processing apparatus.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a combination of the food processing appliance portion of any embodiment of the first aspect and an underlying capturing device, wherein the capturing device is configured to receive deformed or separated food material originating from the food processing appliance portion.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the combination comprises means for assembling the food processing device part and the lower capturing means together.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the lower catch arrangement comprises or consists of a juice basket configured to facilitate extraction of liquid from deformed or separated food material present therein.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the juice extraction basket comprises a substantially rigid wall and/or floor having a space formed therein such that deformed or separated food material pressed against the wall and/or floor is forced to release liquid extract and the liquid extract leaves the juice extraction basket via the space and the remaining solid portion remains in the basket for at least a period of time.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the catch arrangement comprises a receptacle and the juicing basket is within the receptacle such that liquid extract passing through the space of the juicing basket is caught by the receptacle.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the container or basket includes means for assembly with the food processing device portion.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the rotatable element extends downwardly into the juice basket, and a region of the rotatable element within the juice basket is configured to press the deformed or separated food material against a wall or floor of the juice basket.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a food processing apparatus comprising a combination of any of the embodiments of the second aspect.

In one embodiment of the third aspect, the food processing apparatus further comprises a motor configured to rotate the rotatable element.

Drawings

FIG. 1A shows a perspective plan view of a highly preferred insert of the present invention. The insert provides a surface against which the source food material is compressed.

FIG. 1B shows a side view of the highly preferred insert shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C illustrates a bottom view of the highly preferred insert shown in FIG. 1A.

Fig. 2A shows a perspective view of a liquid extract capturing container designed to be disposed under and attached to the insert shown in fig. 1A.

Fig. 3A shows a perspective plan view of a highly preferred lid of the present invention. The cover is designed to fit over the insert of fig. 1A.

Fig. 3B shows a side view of the highly preferred lid shown in fig. 3A.

Fig. 3C illustrates a bottom view of the highly preferred insert shown in fig. 3A.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an assembled food processing device including the insert shown in fig. 1A, the liquid extract capturing container of fig. 2A, and the lid of fig. 3A. Also indicated as rotating element and filter basket, which parts are not shown separately in the drawings.

Detailed Description

After considering this description, it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, while various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Accordingly, this description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention. Moreover, statements of advantages or other aspects apply to particular exemplary embodiments and not necessarily to all embodiments covered by the claims.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word "comprise", and variations of the word, such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may.

The present invention is based, at least in part, on the inventors' discovery that pre-processing of food material in a space below the upper surface of the lid and/or below the input chute of a food processing apparatus provides advantages (or at least an optional arrangement). This approach is significantly different from prior art food processing apparatus that pre-process food material in a recess formed in the lid (and particularly in a recess formed above the main plane of the lid or in the side of the lid chute).

Moving the preparation to the space under the lid and/or under the chute allows for more space and more surface to be dedicated to the preparation of the incoming food material. Thus, the present invention allows food material to fall directly down from the feed chute into the space below the upper surface of the lid and below the feed chute, rather than laterally transferring the incoming material from the feed chute into the necessarily smaller crushing space formed above the surface of the lid (as in the prior art).

The invention provides that deformation of the food material (such as bending and crushing) or breaking up of the material into smaller pieces may occur in the space under the cover and/or chute, specific embodiments of which will be described below.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a food processing appliance portion that can be used as part of a fully functional appliance. In a broad form, the food processing apparatus portion includes a cover, a rotatable element, and one or more food material contacting surfaces. It will be appreciated that such a portion may not be usable as a food processing apparatus per se, and will typically require additional components such as an electric motor, power cord, etc. to operate properly. Such additional components and means for incorporation into food processing apparatus are well known to the skilled artisan and the skilled artisan will be able to construct an operable apparatus according to the present invention with the full benefit of the present description.

In the food processor portion of the present invention, the lid is generally configured to prevent undesirable egress of food material during operation. The cover also provides a means for allowing the source plant material to enter the apparatus and in this sense has an access space formed therein. The access space is typically an aperture formed in the major planar area of the cover, however, the space may be defined by the cover and non-cover portions of the food processing device portion, or indeed by the cover and any other portion of the food processing device as a whole. The lid may include a chute or some type of guide to help guide the incoming food material through the entry space. An elongated chute is typically incorporated into the lid, extending upwardly at an angle from the lid, through which chute the food material is manually pushed by the user (typically with the aid of a plunger-like member) and then into the space under the lid.

In the present invention, the space below the upper surface of the lid or below the chute comprises one or more food material contacting surfaces. These surfaces are oriented so that food material passing through the access space in the lid impinges thereon. Such contact may be caused by the natural downward movement of the food material through the access space, or may be caused by or at least assisted by the rotation of the rotatable element during its rotation.

The food material contacting surface(s) are formed of a material that is sufficiently rigid to allow food material (such as fruit or vegetable pulp) to be pushed thereagainst by a force sufficient to deform or separate the material, but not to substantially deform itself. Thus, a firm surface is provided against which food material may be crushed, bent, separated, comminuted or in any other way deformed.

It will be appreciated that the purpose of the deformation or separation of the introduced pieces of food material may be to reduce the overall size of the pieces to facilitate the subsequent step of pressing the liquid extract therefrom. Many food processors squeeze liquid extract from food material by pressing the food material against the walls of a filter basket or similar device. Such pressing is typically accomplished by forcing the food material into a small space flanked by filter basket walls. Unprocessed bulk food material cannot physically enter small spaces and therefore cannot provide juice or other liquid extracts. Reducing the overall size of the food material or deforming it to become softer or more flexible increases the ability of the material to enter small spaces adjacent the filter basket walls.

If desired, the rotatable element can help move the processed food material down into a small space adjacent the filter basket wall. For example, the rotatable element may be threaded, the threads serving to push the material down (in a manner similar to an archimedes screw bucket) and to the lower region of the basket where most of the compression occurs.

The skilled person, having the benefit of this description, is able to obtain arrangements alternative to those explicitly disclosed herein, in which the food material contact surface is provided below the upper surface of the lid, or below the chute of the lid. The contact surface will typically be stationary and should be arranged to avoid being hit by the rotatable element when rotating.

The food material contacting surface(s) may be planar, undulating, curved, or any other geometric shape. In any event, a substantially smooth surface is preferred for ease of cleaning.

The food material contacting surface(s) may largely surround and optionally completely surround the rotatable element to provide a continuous surface around and facing the rotatable element. In this way, a maximum surface area is provided against which the food material can be compressed and the throughput of the apparatus is maximized. The continuous surface may be provided by an insert surface of a sleeve-type construction. The rotatable element may be disposed within the sleeve-like structure and optionally substantially coaxial therewith. In cross-section, the sleeve may be, for example, circular, oval, polygonal (having 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or more sides), or star-shaped. In some embodiments, the wall of the sleeve curves inwardly towards the rotatable element. The sleeve may be of uniform cross-section along its length in terms of shape and/or size. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape and/or size varies along the length of the sleeve. In a highly preferred embodiment, the sleeve narrows towards its lower edge.

In operation, and while the rotatable element is rotating, the rotatable element serves to push incoming food material against the inner face of the sleeve, thereby compressing the material. As described in more complete detail below, the rotatable element may be configured to reduce the gap between the food material contact surface and the rotatable element when rotated, thereby compressing any material present in the gap. For example, the rotatable element has asymmetry, eccentricity or formations that reduce play during rotation.

In some embodiments of the invention, one of the one or more plant contacting surfaces is provided by a contacting surface body. The body (other than the contact surface provided by the body) may be oriented generally towards the rotatable element. For example, the body may be radially aligned in a manner similar to spokes of a wheel, whereby the body extends from the peripheral structure towards the center of the rotatable element.

The contact surface body may provide a wide food material contact surface not facing the rotatable element. Considering a radially aligned fin-shaped contact surface body, the wide contact surface (the face of the fin-shaped structure) is presented orthogonal to the radial line. In these embodiments, the rotating element may push incoming food against an orthogonally presented contact surface. In case the contact surface body is sufficiently deformation resistant, the contact surface provides a stable surface against which the food material may be broken.

Alternatively, the rotating element may shear the food material against the edge of the contact surface body. The shear forces may cause the material to stretch, weaken, bend or even sever.

The edge facing the contact surface of the rotatable element may provide a very narrow food material contact surface (different from the shearing edge) against which the material sandwiched between the rotatable element and the edge is compressed. In this embodiment, during rotation, the rotatable element compresses the food material against the edge contact surface.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more contact surface bodies may be provided, although preferably 3, 4 or 5 are provided. Preferably, a minimum of space is maintained between adjacent contact surface bodies to allow portions of the food material to enter the space therebetween. The food material between the two spaces can be compressed against the broad face of the body, or indeed against another contact surface (such as the surface from which the body extends).

The peripheral structure from which the body extends may be a curved surface, the curved surface itself providing a further food contacting surface.

It will be appreciated from the above that one function of the rotatable element is to push incoming food material against the food material contact surface(s). In operation, the rotatable element and the food material contacting surface are spaced apart from each other such that at one, some or all stages of rotation, there is a space between the edge of the rotatable element and the food material contacting surface(s). The space is large enough to allow a portion of the food material to become sandwiched between the rotatable element and the proximal food material contacting surface. This space may narrow during rotation (due to the shape of the rotatable element or its eccentric mounting) which causes the trapped material to be compressed. The purpose is to sandwich and/or compress to cause deformation, and in some cases even to separate the food material into individual pieces. In this way, the food material is processed into a form that is more suitable as a raw material for a subsequent liquid extraction step.

The rotatable element is typically elongate and is configured to extend vertically and vertically through the filter basket, as in prior art devices. However, unlike the prior art, the rotatable element of the present device need not extend above the upper surface of the lid and into a concave recess extending upwardly from the lid. In contrast, the present invention allows the rotatable element to terminate below the upper surface of the lid.

The rotatable element may have any cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, the rotatable element has a cylindrical core region and the outer region has one or more formations for contacting and urging incoming food material against the food material contacting surface. In this case, the outer region may be considered to be the food material pushing formation. The formations may be solid bodies, or relatively thin leaf-like structures. In any case, the formation is sufficiently rigid to sufficiently compress the food material against the plant contacting surface(s). In operation, rotation of the rotatable member causes the food material to push the formations through the space under the cover of the device portion in a manner similar to a clock hand. In its travel, the food material pushes the formations to grasp the surface of the incoming food material and push it against the proximal food material contact surface, thereby deforming or separating the material.

Once the food material is deformed or cut, it moves downward and is squeezed to form juice. This movement may be due, at least in part, to gravity, the weight of the covering material, or mechanical assistance from the rotating element.

The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the non-limiting drawings provided herein. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same or equivalent structures.

Turning first to fig. 1, an insert (100) is shown which is part of the food processing apparatus of the present invention which provides a food material contacting surface against which incoming food material is broken. The insert is typically made of plastic, which is usually food grade, and may be dishwasher safe. In this embodiment, the insert (100) is generally sleeve-like and removable for cleaning.

The insert (100) includes two types of food material contacting surfaces. The first type is provided by the body of the insert (100), being an internal curved surface (one labeled (115)), and the second type is provided by a fin structure (one labeled (120)) extending from the curved surface (115). Each fin provides two planar surfaces (120a), (120b) and an edge surface (120 c). Although this embodiment is drawn with 4 fin structures, other embodiments may have any number (such as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more). Without the provision of such structures, some reconfiguration will typically be required in view of the fact that these structures assist in the breaking up of the food material. For example, the space between the inner face of the insert (100) and the thread-like structure (410; as shown in FIG. 4) may be narrowed by moving the inner face of the insert (100) towards the thread-like structure (410) and/or extending the thread-like structure (410).

It should be noted that the insert (100) tapers towards the base, providing a more open access space at the upper end for larger pieces of food material, but a more restricted space at the lower end to funnel broken food material (not shown) towards a lower filter basket (not shown in this figure, but labeled (500) in fig. 4). The direction of the food material through the insert is indicated by the dashed lines.

The protruding region (125) is provided in the insert (100). This area defines the space where the source food material initially enters the insert (100) and is immediately below the access aperture in the lid (not shown in this figure, but drawn in fig. 3A, 3B and 3C). To some extent, the raised area (125) is continuous with a portion of the chute wall (not shown, but labeled (315) in fig. 3). At this point, the food material passes along the chute wall and continues into the insert (100) by first contacting the wall of the raised area (125). Given the angle of the walls of the protruding areas (125), the food material is generally directed towards the rotating element (not shown, but marked (400) in fig. 4) and towards the fin-like structure (120).

The insert (100) further includes an annular flange (130), the annular flange (130) having a series of outwardly directed lugs (one labeled (135)) extending therefrom. The flange (130) and the lug (135) facilitate assembly with a liquid extract capturing container (not shown, but shown in fig. 2) disposed below.

Referring now to fig. 2, fig. 2 shows a liquid extract capturing container (200) which is disposed under the insert (100) and reversibly secured to the insert (100) in the assembled food processing device. The upper edge of the liquid extract catch container (200) has a series of inwardly directed lugs (205). An annular rib (210) extending around the interior of the container (200) and just below the rim is also provided. The lug (205) and rib (210) are operable with the lug (135) and flange (130) of the insert (100) to form a bayonet-type fit between the parts (100) and (200).

To assemble the insert (100) with the container (200), the insert (100) is suspended over the container (200) such that the outwardly directed lugs (135) of the insert (100) are out of registration with the inwardly directed lugs (205) of the container (200). The insert (100) is lowered until the bottom edge of its annular flange (130) rests on the annular rib (210) of the container (200). The insert (200) is then rotated until the lugs (135) and (205) are at least partially in registry, thereby preventing separation of the components (100) and (200).

The liquid extract capturing container (200) includes a support structure (215) that retains a bearing (not shown) in the aperture (215). The bearings support and allow rotation of a rotating element (not shown in this figure, but labeled (400) in fig. 4). The support structure (215) also supports a filter basket (not shown in this figure, but labeled (400) in fig. 4) on the surface around the aperture (220).

The function of the container (200) is to capture the liquid extract pressed out of the food material passing through the filter basket. The floor (not shown) of the container (200) is configured to direct a liquid extract (not shown), which typically flows into a drinking glass or jug (not shown) for consumption, toward the outlet conduit (225).

The liquid extract capturing container (200) includes a second series of lugs (one labeled (230)) extending outward directly below the container rim. These lugs (230) are configured to mate with complementary structures on the lid (not shown in this figure, but shown in figures 3A, 3B and 3C).

Referring now to fig. 3, fig. 3 shows a lid (300) of the present invention. As will be noted first, the lid does not have any surface dedicated to breaking up incoming food material. In prior art lids, a distinct ridge rises from the upper surface (305) of the lid (300), the ridge forming a concave surface on its underside. In the present invention, the surface on which the food material is broken is provided on a separate structure (insert (100)) that is provided below the upper surface (305) of the lid (300).

The lid (300) has an access aperture (the edge of which is labeled (310)) that allows the passage of incoming food material (not shown). The food material is manually fed into the chute (315) and is cut to a sufficiently large size by the blade (320) as it is pushed through the chute.

The lid (300) has a substantially tall vertical portion (325). This height is necessary in view of the insert (100) being received below the major upper surface 305. The flange (330) extends from a portion of the vertical section (325) that, when assembled, is located above an upper region of the container (200). The rim of the flange (330) includes alternating solid regions (335) and spatial regions (340), which force the lid (300) to be properly positioned given that each lug (230) of the container (200) must be located in a spatial region (340). The formations, one labeled (345), each have a flat surface (350) located on the rim of the liquid extract capture container (200). The lid (300) is secured to the container (200) by a clip (355) that snaps into a recess (not shown) in the outer wall of the container (200).

The lid (300) also provides a recess (360) that retains the upper end of the rotatable element (not shown in this figure, but labeled (400) in figure 4). The recess (360) allows the rotatable element to rotate, but at the same time prevents the rotatable element from sliding from its normal vertical orientation.

Referring to fig. 4, fig. 4 shows an assembly of the insert (100), the liquid extract capturing container (200) and the lid (300). Also shown in this figure is the rotating element (400) and the filter basket (500).

In this exemplary embodiment, the rotating element (400) has a solid, unitary construction and, as will be noted, is generally bottle-shaped, having an elongated upper neck region and a lower, shorter region. A helical thread-like structure (410) is wound around the rotating element (400) from top to bottom. The thread-like structure extends outwardly to a greater extent in the upper region and to a lesser extent in the lower region. In the upper region of the rotating element (400), the relatively elongated neck region allows relatively large pieces of food material to be pushed down the chute (315) and into the interior space of the insert (100). Once the food material is within the interior space of the insert (100), the thread-like structure contacts the material and pushes it against the curved surface (115) and also against the broad faces (120a), (120b) and edge faces (120c) of the fin-like structure (120).

It will be appreciated from fig. 4 that surfaces (115) and (120) provide a large total surface area against which incoming food material can be compressed. This surface area is significantly larger than that provided by prior art food processing apparatus which provide a crushing surface in a concave surface disposed adjacent the chute above the upper face of the lid.

Furthermore, a large space is provided within the insert (100), which is capable of accommodating a large amount of food material. The space may be substantially or almost as wide as the surface of the cover above it. Also, the prior art food processing apparatus suffers in that it has a relatively small crushing space to accommodate the material. It will be appreciated that the chute in the food processing apparatus must be relatively large, thereby somewhat limiting the size of any concave crushing zone formed in the lid, as in the prior art. The present invention allows for a large chute, however, because the food material contact surface (which helps to break up the material) is below the top of the lid (and thus below the chute), the chute does not limit the space available to provide a breaking surface in the appliance. The large surface area provided by the present device for breaking up incoming food material allows the user to process a large amount of food material faster and thus provide a reasonable amount of liquid extract in a shorter time.

It should be appreciated that in the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Moreover, although some embodiments described and/or illustrated herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments may be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" may also be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to" or "coupled to" (or substantially equivalent terms) another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between.. versus" directly between.. versus, "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms are used herein without implying a sequence or order unless explicitly stated otherwise by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "below," "lower," "upper," "lateral," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element or feature or features, as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can include both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.

Thus, the spirit and scope of the present invention is not limited by the foregoing examples, but is to be understood in the broadest sense allowable by law.

Claims

1. A food processing device portion for deforming or separating food material for further use in a subsequent pressing process, the food processing device portion comprising:

a cover having an entry space formed therein;

a rotatable element; and

one or more food material contacting surfaces surrounding the rotatable element and disposed below the access space of the lid,

wherein the rotatable element and the one or more food material contacting surfaces are each configured and spatially arranged relative to one another such that, in use, food material disposed about the rotatable element is forced against the one or more food material contacting surfaces, thereby deforming or separating the food material and causing or allowing the resulting deformed or separated food material to exit the one or more food material contacting surfaces.

2. The food processing device portion of claim 1, wherein the rotatable element and the one or more food material contacting surfaces are each configured and spatially arranged with respect to one another such that, in use, separated or deformed food material is caused or allowed to fall from the one or more food material contacting surfaces under at least partial influence of gravity.

3. The food processing device portion of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the rotatable element and the one or more food material contacting surfaces are each configured and spatially arranged with respect to each other such that, in use, food material is caused or allowed to contact the one or more food material contacting surfaces at least under partial influence of gravity.

4. The food processing device portion of any of claims 1 to 3, comprising a food material entry space allowing food material to enter substantially downwards and a food material exit space allowing deformed or separated food material to exit substantially downwards, wherein the food material entry space and the food material exit space are each at least partially defined by the one or more food material contact surfaces.

5. The food processing device portion of claim 4, wherein the food material entry space is in or around an upper region of the food processing device portion and the food material exit space is in or around a lower region of the food processing device.

6. The food processing device portion of claim 4 or claim 5 having an axis passing through said rotatable element, said food material entry space and said food material exit space.

7. The food processing device portion of claim 6, wherein the axis, when present in the assembled food processing device, assumes a substantially vertical orientation when assembled.

8. The food processing device part according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein said one or more food material contacting surfaces partially or completely surround at least a part of said rotatable element.

9. The food processing device portion of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein one of said one or more food material contacting surfaces substantially faces said rotatable element.

10. The food processing device portion of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein one of said one or more food material contacting surfaces is substantially concave and substantially faces said rotatable element.

11. The food processing device portion of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the rotatable element and one of the one or more food material contacting surfaces each have an upper region and a lower region, and wherein a distance between the upper region of said one of the one or more food material contacting surfaces and the upper region of the rotatable element is greater than a distance between the lower region of said one of the one or more food material contacting surfaces and the lower region of the rotatable element.

12. The food processing device part of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein said one or more food material contacting surfaces are at least partially formed by an inner face of a geometrically regular structure.

13. The food processing device portion of claim 12, wherein the geometrically regular structure is substantially cylindrical or substantially frustoconical.

14. The food processing device part of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein one of said one or more food material contacting surfaces is provided by a body extending generally towards said rotatable element.

15. The food processing device portion of claim 14, comprising two or more food material contacting surfaces, wherein a first of the two or more food material contacting surfaces is a surface generally facing the rotatable element and a second of the two or more food material contacting surfaces is a body extending generally towards the rotatable element.

16. The food processing device portion of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the body extending towards the rotatable element is substantially fin-shaped.

17. The food processing device part according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein said rotatable element has a longitudinal axis and said one or more food material contacting surfaces are at least partly formed by inner faces of a geometrically regular structure having axes, and said axes are coincident or at least mutually parallel.

18. The food processing device portion of any of claims 1 to 17, wherein said rotatable element has food material pushing formations extending generally outwardly therefrom.

19. The food processing device portion of claim 18, wherein the food material pushing formation is configured such that: as the rotatable element rotates, food material is urged against one of the one or more food material contact surfaces.

20. The food processing device portion of claim 19, wherein the rotatable portion is configured such that when rotated the food material urging formation moves on or generally toward one of the one or more food material contacting surfaces.

21. The food processing device portion of any of claims 18 to 20, wherein a space between the food material urging formation and one of the one or more food material contacting surfaces is sufficiently large to allow food material to enter into said space and contact the food material urging formation and the one or more food contacting surfaces during rotation of the rotatable element.

22. The food processing device portion of any of claims 18 to 21, wherein said food material pushing portion is provided at or towards an upper region of said rotatable element.

23. The food processing device portion of any of claims 1 to 22, wherein the rotatable element has a conveying formation configured to convey or assist in conveying deformed or separated food material generally downwardly and away from the food processing device portion.

24. The food processing device portion of claim 23, wherein the transport formation is generally threaded.

25. The food processing device portion of claim 23 or claim 24, wherein said conveying portion is disposed below said food material pushing formation such that food material is deformed or separated by contact with said food pushing formation and said one or more food material contacting surfaces, and the so formed deformed or separated food material is urged downwardly by said conveying portion to eventually exit said food processing device portion.

26. The food processing device portion of any of claims 1 to 25 wherein the lower region or edge of one of the one or more food material contacting surfaces has associated therewith means for assembly with an underlying capture means of a food processing device.

27. The food processing device portion of claim 26 wherein the means for assembling with an underlying capture means of the food processing device is configured such that: the one of the one or more food material contacting surfaces is removable from and attachable to the base of the food processing apparatus by rotating the one of the one or more food material contacting surfaces relative to the underlying capturing device, and optionally lifting or lowering the one or more food material contacting surfaces from or toward the underlying capturing device.

28. The combination of the food processing device portion and an underlying capture arrangement of any of claims 1-27, wherein the capture arrangement is configured to receive deformed or separated food material originating from the food processing device portion.

29. The combination of claim 28, including means for assembling said food processing appliance portion and said lower capture means together.

30. The combination of claim 28 or claim 29, wherein the lower catch comprises or consists of a juice basket configured to facilitate extraction of liquid from deformed or separated food material present in the juice basket.

31. The combination of claim 30, wherein the juicing basket comprises substantially rigid walls and/or a floor having spaces formed therein such that deformed or separated food material pressed against the walls and/or floor is forced to release liquid extract and the liquid extract exits the juicing basket via the spaces and the remaining solid portion remains in the basket for at least a period of time.

32. The combination of any one of claims 28 to 31, wherein the capturing means comprises a receptacle and the juicing basket is within the receptacle such that liquid extract passing through the space of the juicing basket is captured by the receptacle.

33. The combination of claim 32, wherein the container or the juice extraction basket includes means for partial assembly with the food processing appliance.

34. The combination of any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein the rotatable element extends downwardly into the juice basket, and the region of the rotatable element within the juice basket is configured to press deformed or separated food material against the walls or floor of the juice basket.

35. A food processing apparatus comprising a combination according to any of claims 28 to 34.

36. The food processing device of claim 35, further comprising a motor configured to rotate the rotatable element.